Meet Master Monique: The Heart Behind Aerial Yoga Academy

"Making Aerial Yoga Affordable, Accessible, and Authentic for Students Worldwide"

From global yoga teacher to digital pioneer, Master Monique shares her journey into Aerial Yoga, building an online movement, and the healing power of the hammock.

Introduction

At the intersection of movement, healing, and holistic wisdom stands Master Monique—founder of Aerial Yoga Academy and one of the world’s earliest students of AntiGravity® Yoga. With over 25 years of teaching experience and 13 diplomas in traditional yoga, Monique is a pioneer not only in the practice of Aerial Yoga but also in how it’s taught globally.

In this in-depth interview, Monique shares how her passion for Aerial Yoga grew into a purpose-driven mission to make high-quality, soul-rich yoga education accessible and affordable to all—without compromising tradition.

A Journey Rooted in Yoga and Growth

What were you doing before Aerial Yoga?

I was teaching yoga teacher training around the world, and always immersing myself in holistic health studies. I’ve always had a passion for knowledge and growth, and I naturally felt drawn to any practice that involved healing, self-awareness, and transformation.

How did you first discover yoga?

It began in England. A friend invited me to a hot yoga class. It was freezing outside, so I thought, “At least I’ll warm up!” What I didn’t expect was a complete inner shift. I left that class feeling the most peaceful I’d ever felt.

It was cathartic. I thought, “This feeling—this calm—came from inside me. Through movement and breath.” That moment ignited a lantern of light within me. I knew I wanted more of that—and to share it.

Who influenced your yoga teaching most deeply?

My most influential teacher was Michelle, a direct student of Iyengar. He had deep knowledge and a great sense of humor. We connected through shared intensity and passion, but also playfulness. That contrast made our training powerful—we were light and joyful outside the classroom, but deeply focused during sessions. He taught me that yoga is both sacred and human.

The Leap Into Aerial Yoga

How did you move into Aerial Yoga?

I trained under Christopher Harrison, the creator of AntiGravity® Yoga, more than 20 years ago. I was lucky to be among the first ever to do so. Funny enough—I enrolled in the teacher training before I’d even taken a class.

It was beautiful to watch—elegant, playful, freeing. I knew instantly that it had the potential to offer more than traditional yoga. Not better—just different. The element of elevation brings with it a return to joy, to inner child energy. So many of us have lost that.

From Studio to Screen: The Birth of an Online Academy

Your online offering is incredibly comprehensive. What inspired you to take Aerial Yoga training online?

I invested over $10,000 in my AntiGravity training—including food, flights, accommodation, and time off work. When it was over, I remember thinking: Christopher is a wonderful teacher—but this training was missing key elements.

I’d only learned enough poses for one or two classes, and to continue learning, I’d have to pay for another course. It felt incomplete. Also, the traditional and spiritual essence of yoga was missing—and that’s something I deeply value.

With 13 diplomas in traditional yoga, I knew I could offer something more holistic—more complete. I wanted to bring depth, breathwork, anatomy, spiritual wisdom, and affordability into Aerial Yoga. So I created a comprehensive, one-time-payment training that students could do from home, at their own pace, without spending thousands.

It was about empowerment. I just wanted more… for people.

Wisdom from the Hammock

What’s the biggest difference between teaching Aerial and traditional yoga?

Time management. In Aerial Yoga, you're working with equipment, safety, and flow—all at once. I teach my students techniques like adjusting five people simultaneously, or using one student to demonstrate for an entire class. Little things like that make a huge difference when you're managing energy, structure, and time in a class setting.

What has Aerial Yoga taught you about people?

Everything.

How a person interacts with the hammock reflects their life experience. Some people hesitate—they don’t trust the hammock. That tells me about their relationship with trust. Others jump into a pose before I’ve finished explaining—it speaks to urgency, control, or even confidence.

Students who can’t relax in restorative poses often carry emotional tension. But by the end of class, the shift is undeniable. Most leave glowing—joyful, empowered, present. Watching that transformation is one of the greatest gifts of being a teacher.

Behind the Teacher: Personal Challenges & Daily Practices

What’s been your biggest personal challenge?

Staying energetically balanced. As an empath, I absorb a lot. It’s taken a lifetime to learn how to turn that sensitivity up and down. I need regular time in nature to recharge, ground, and release what isn’t mine. Also, when I feel "off," it’s usually because I’ve neglected my own needs, or given too much of myself without replenishment.

You look decades younger than you are. What’s your secret?

Water—I drink nearly 4 liters a day.
Intermittent fasting—I don’t eat before 1:00 PM, giving my body time to heal, hydrate, and renew.
Natural food—90% of my diet is alive: fruits, vegetables, salads, nothing refined. I’ve always been drawn to food with high energy and high vibration. It directly impacts my mood and clarity.
Emotional health—I let things go. I don’t hold grudges. It’s an act of self-love. As my mum used to say, “No stress is worth a wrinkle.”

Final Words: A Practice of Purpose and Possibility

Monique’s story is more than inspiring—it’s a testament to what’s possible when passion meets purpose. Her dedication to making Aerial Yoga accessible, affordable, and deeply authentic has helped thousands worldwide connect with movement, trust, and self-healing.

Whether you're an experienced yogi, a curious beginner, or a teacher ready to expand your offerings, Aerial Yoga Academy provides a gateway to transformation—one breath, one pose, one suspended moment at a time.

✨ Ready to Begin Your Aerial Yoga Journey?

  • 🎓 Get certified from anywhere in the world with our Online Aerial Yoga Teacher Training

  • 💻 One-time payment, lifetime access

  • 🧘‍♀️ Learn from a global Master Teacher with 25+ years’ experience

  • 🌿 Deeply rooted in traditional yoga philosophy and modern movement science

👉 Visit www.aerialyogacademy.com to start your journey today.